Europe’s first lithium refinery opens in Germany

AMG Lithium opened Europe’s first lithium refinery in Bitterfeld-Wolfen, Germany. The refinery was built in just over two years and cost about 140 million euros. It is expected to produce enough lithium hydroxide for 500,000 electric cars per year.

Most of the plant’s lithium will come from Brazil. The refinery converts the raw material into battery-compatible lithium hydroxide. The plant is expected to produce 20,000 tonnes of lithium hydroxide annually to power 500,000 electric vehicles.

Lithium is a key component in producing electric vehicle (EV) batteries. It is an element that is highly demanded as a result of the global transition to green energy.

In response to its growing demand, the EU proposed a Critical Raw Materials Action Plan in 2020, which aims to reduce Europe’s dependency on external sources of supply.

Currently, most hybrid and electric vehicles use lithium-ion batteries. Managing Director of AMG Lithium Stefan Scherer said “if you also want a certain performance and range when driving, then the lithium-ion battery is simply unbeatable.”

Lithium extracted from European mines, such as from Portugal and the Ore Mountains, will also be produced here.